Whistle-Blowing Requires Persistence

The more I learn about the actual experiences of whistle-blowers, the less I like the term. The phrase has a “tattletale” ring to it; it calls to mind a person who snitches from a safe distance. That couldn’t be further from the truth in most cases, and that’s a shame. Effective whistle-blowing can save money, reputation – and lives.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who exposed problems at their agency and Southwest Airlines did so at a decidedly unsafe distance: they were threatened with firing, relieved of many responsibilities, and endured other pressure from on high. Why? Because they wanted Southwest to address cracks in some airplanes. The special investigation program their efforts sparked has resulted in what appears to be an aggressive focus on aircraft safety.

This editorial in the Austin American-Statesman editorial praises the efforts of the FAA inspectors who apparently tried to do their job and suffered for it. They’re not “whistle-blowers”; they’re inspectors. Perhaps, new titles or descriptions (Lapsed supervisors? Rule-breakers? Responsibility-shirkers?) should be given to their superiors who failed to do their own jobs.

This BookTV program features former WorldCom vice president of internal audit Cynthia Cooper, who recently published a book about her experience uncovering inaccurate accounting practices (requires RealPlayer).